The ZIP file format is a widely used method for compressing and archiving files. It allows multiple files and folders to be combined into a single file, reducing their overall size for easier storage and sharing. This format is particularly useful for sending large files over the internet or saving space on a hard drive. ZIP files use lossless compression, meaning that the original data can be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed version. They can contain various types of files, including documents, images, and software, making them versatile for different applications. Most operating systems have built-in support for creating and extracting ZIP files.